Single Crystal and Large Grain Niobium Research at Michigan State University

As Superconducting Radio Frequency (SRF) technology is used in more accelerator designs, research has focused on increasing the efficiency of these accelerators by pushing gradients and investigating cost reduction options. Today, most SRF structures are fabricated from high purity niobium. Over years of research, a material specification has been derived that defines a uniaxial, fine grain structure for SRF cavity fabrication. Most recently a push has been made to investigate the merits of using single or large grain niobium as a possible alternative to fine grain niobium. Michigan State University (MSU), in collaboration with Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory (FNAL) and Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility (JLAB), is researching large grain niobium via cavity fabrication processes and testing, as well as exploring materials science issues associated with recrystallization and heat transfer. Single-cell 1.3 GHz (beta=0.081) cavities made from both fine and large grain niobium were compared both in terms of fabrication procedures and performance. Two 7-cell cavities are currently being fabricated.